Sample Email to Friends, Relatives and Teachers for National ADHD Awareness Day

September 19, 2007 will mark the fourth annual National AD/HD Awareness Day. Between 3% and 8% of children and approximately 4% of adults have been diagnosed with ADHD. Even so, there is a great deal of misinformation and misunderstanding about this disorder. ADHD impacts every aspect of a person’s life, not just academically, as previously thought. People with ADHD may have challenges in relationships, careers organization and social situations. They have a high incident rate with co-existing conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and substance abuse. In addition, people with ADHD may suffer from low self-esteem.

Treatment for ADHD may include such therapies as medication, behavioral therapy or therapy. Treatment has been found to be very effective in reducing symptoms and improving lives.

The internet is inundated with information about ADHD and it is difficult to determine which sites contain accurate and reliable information. Many sites provide first hand experience with little or no medical reviews. Other sites offer statistics with no evidence to back up claims. The following sites provide reliable and accurate information:

The National Institute of Mental Health is the lead Federal agency for research on mental and behavioral disorders. They provide a substantial amount of information about ADHD, including: diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, behavioral interventions, ADHD in teens and adults.

Health Central offers a wealth of information on ADHD, with contributions from a number of experts: Eileen Bailey is ADHD advocate and Certified Life Strategies Coach and has been writing about ADHD issues for over 10 years. Paul Ballas, D.O. is a resident at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and will soon be beginning a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry in the department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Craig Stoltz is a Health Journalist, who previously worked at The Washington Post. Deborah is an adult living with ADHD and offers a first hand look at Adult ADD. In addition, Health Central offers information by Harvard Health Publications. All medical information on the site has been physician reviewed.

_To help spread awareness of ADHD, look over the above web sites and use this information to help someone in your life coping with ADHD on a daily basis. The more you learn and understand, the more you will be able to help someone to grow and succeed. _